FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2017, file photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at the Capitol in Washington. Pelosi says she must retain her leadership position so there is a woman at the table when key decisions are made. After more than a decade leading House Democrats, Pelosi has faced demands from some lawmakers for leadership changes, particularly after Democrats failed to win back House control last year. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Pelosi says she must remain as leader so a woman is at table

Oct. 20, 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Friday she must retain her leadership position in Congress so there is a woman at the table when key decisions are made.

After more than a decade leading House Democrats, Pelosi has faced demands from some lawmakers for leadership changes, particularly after Democrats failed to win back House control last year. A fellow Californian and member of Pelosi's leadership team, Rep. Linda Sanchez, said earlier this month that it was time for Pelosi and other veteran leaders to step aside and make way for a new generation of party leaders.

Pelosi said in an interview on ABC's "The View" that she was ready to leave had Hillary Clinton become president, putting a woman at the top. But Clinton lost, and so she must remain, Pelosi said, as she recounted a White House dinner last month where she was the only woman at the table.

"And that's why I have to stay there, to be one of the top women, top people at the table," said Pelosi, 77, adding that she views one of her mandates as protecting former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which she was instrumental in passing as House speaker at the time.

"I was ready to go if Hillary won, have a woman at the top of the table, protecting the Affordable Care Act, which is to me similar to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid," Pelosi said.

Pelosi disputed the suggestion that divisions in the Democratic Party are as stark as those afflicting the GOP, and also said that despite some in her caucus who would like to see her go, she has many more allies who want her to remain.